The ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, on Thursday, became the highest-scoring edition in the tournament’s history, with the landmark achieved during the Group D clash between co-hosts the United States and Turkey.
The historic moment came early in the contest when USA defender Auston Trusty scored the tournament’s 173rd goal, surpassing the previous World Cup record of 172 goals set during the 2022 edition in Qatar.
The tally continued to rise in a thrilling encounter as Turkey claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory with a stoppage-time winner, taking the overall goal count to 177 by the final whistle.
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What makes the achievement even more remarkable is the speed at which it was reached. The 2026 tournament broke the record after only 59 matches, whereas the previous benchmark of 172 goals required all 64 matches of the 2022 World Cup to be completed.
Notably, the expanded format has played a significant role in the increased scoring as the 2026 edition is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams.
Consequently, the total number of matches increased from 64 to 104, creating more opportunities for attacking football and goals throughout the competition.
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FIFA president Gianni Infantino celebrated the milestone, praising the tournament’s entertainment value and attacking quality.
“Surpassing the previous highest of 172 goals from Qatar underscores the excitement and attacking prowess that have already made the 2026 FIFA World Cup so unforgettable,” Infantino wrote in a post on Instagram.
With the group stage nearing its conclusion and the knockout rounds still to be played, the scoring record is expected to climb considerably higher before the tournament reaches its finale.
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